Government prisoners tortured, genitals chopped off and then executed by warlord Haftar’s Al-Kaniyat militia

Government prisoners tortured, genitals chopped off and then executed by warlord Haftar’s Al-Kaniyat militia

12 prisoners of war have been executed by Khalifa Haftar’s infamous Al-Kaniyat militia group after their detention in different frontlines in southern Tripoli. Two other civilians were abducted by the same group in Qarabulli town, east Tripoli, and had the same fate.

The victims, 12 of them are fighters for the UN-recognized Government of National Accord, were handed over to the Libyan Red Crescent last week after weeks of disappearance. They were arrested, tortured and humiliated before being killed, according to the Ministry of Health.

In a statement, the ministry said: “Signs of torture and abuses were found on the bodies of the victims.”

“The ministry considers such horrific violations, which do not respect humanity, an act of terrorism that does not reflect the morals and customs of the Libyan Muslim people.” Read the statement.

The ministry called on the UN Security Council, the UN Mission in Libya and the International Criminal Court to bring the perpetrators to justice so that they receive their just punishment.

A medical source, who preferred not to be named, said some of the victims had their sex organs cut off, in a horrific crime similar to those of ISIS terrorist group, adding that all the victims were brutally tortured and then summarily executed.

Al-Kaniyat is a notorious militia group formed by Al-Kani family in Tarhuna city. The group has been fighting alongside warlord Khalifa Haftar’s self-declared army in southern Tripoli since the start of the offensive in April. Last year it conducted two failed attacks on Tripoli.

Khalifa Haftar’s self-declared army is a mix of tribal groups, radical Salafists and gangsters.